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<p class="MsoNormal">Simon Says Don’t Use Flashcards by Tara Parker-Pope, <i>New York Times</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/simon-says-dont-use-flashcards/">http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/simon-says-dont-use-flashcards/</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We’ve been reading the research that indicates play is how kids learn and is important for their future success. This short article provides more explicit guidance around what types of games and how you can alter games to increase a child’s
ability to pay attention, remember rules, and exhibit self-control—all strong predictors of academic success!
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here are a few things I took away from the article that you may be able to try during storytimes!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>Play games like Simon Says, Red Light/Green Light, and clapping and signing games which require kids to pay attention and focus, follow instructions/rules/the leader, and exhibit self-control.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>Change rules or add new components to games develops mental flexibility and requires increased concentration and memory skills—examples include having kids touch the opposite body part than what is being sung during Head and Shoulders
(touch your nose when you sing the word ‘toes’), switching green to stop and red to go in Red Light/Green Light.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>Do more singing and clapping games! Make up a new verse to an old favorite action rhyme that kids have memorized and try singing in the round (Row, Row, Row your boat is a good one to start with).
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have a favorite games that requires kids to pay attention, remember rules/actions, be mentally flexible, and exhibit self-control? Please share with the group!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enjoy,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Katie <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="color:black">Katie Anderson, Library Development Services<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="color:black">* Youth Services Consultant * Oregon Center for the Book Coordinator *<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="color:black">Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:katie.anderson@state.or.us"><span style="color:blue">katie.anderson@state.or.us</span></a>, 503-378-2528</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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